Modular omnidirectional bar code symbol scanning system with at least one service port for removable installation of scan module insert

Abstract

A modular omnidirectional laser-based bar code symbol scanning system having at least one scan module insert that is removably disposed (e.g., removably installed) within a system housing (or portion thereof) through a service port (e.g., opening) in the system housing (or portion thereof). The scan module insert is a self-contained unit including at least the following components (in addition to mechanical support structures for such components): at least one laser diode, a rotating scanning element, an electric motor that rotates the rotating scanning element, one or more photodetectors, and analog signal processing circuitry that conditions (e.g., amplifies and / or filters out unwanted noise in) the electrical signal produced by the one or more photodetectors. The scan module insert can optionally include additional components including one or more light collecting optical elements, one or more beam folding mirrors, circuitry for detecting and decoding bar code symbols scanned by the system, etc. The modular architecture of omnidirectional laser scanner of the present invention enables quick access to the scan module insert for efficient repair / reconfiguration / configuration of the optical components, electro-optical, electro-mechanical components and / or electrical components integral thereto.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of InventionThe present invention relates generally to omnidirectional laser scanners capable of reading bar code symbols in point-of-sale (POS) and other demanding scanning environments.2. Brief Description of the Prior ArtThe use of bar code symbols for product and article identification is well known in the art. Presently, various types of bar code symbol scanners have been developed. In general, these bar code symbol readers can be classified into two distinct classes.The first class of bar code symbol reader simultaneously illuminates all of the bars and spaces of a bar code symbol with light of a specific wavelength(s) in order to capture an image thereof for recognition and decoding purposes. Such scanners are commonly known as CCD scanners because they use CCD image detectors to detect images of the bar code symbols being read.The second class of bar code symbol reader uses a focused light beam, typically a focused laser beam, to sequentia...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

Referring to the figures in the accompanying Drawings, the various illustrative embodiments of the modular omnidirectional laser scanner of the present invention will be described in great detail.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, a modular omnidirectional laser-based bar code symbol scanning system 1 in accordance with the present invention includes at least one scan module insert 3 that is removably disposed (e.g., removably installed) within a system housing 5 (or portion thereof) through a service port 7 (e.g., opening) in the system housing 5 (or portion thereof). The scan module insert 3 is a self-contained unit including at least the following components (in addition to mechanical support structures for such components):i) at least one laser diode 11 (one shown) that produces laser light;ii) a rotating scanning element 13 (such as a polygonal mirror as shown, or multifaceted holographic disk) that redirects laser light incident thereon to produce one or more scanning laser beams;iii)...

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of InventionThe present invention relates generally to omnidirectional laser scanners capable of reading bar code symbols in point-of-sale (POS) and other demanding scanning environments.2. Brief Description of the Prior ArtThe use of bar code symbols for product and article identification is well known in the art. Presently, various types of bar code symbol scanners have been developed. In general, these bar code symbol readers can be classified into two distinct classes.The first class of bar code symbol reader simultaneously illuminates all of the bars and spaces of a bar code symbol with light of a specific wavelength(s) in order to capture an image thereof for recognition and decoding purposes. Such scanners are commonly known as CCD scanners because they use CCD image detectors to detect images of the bar code symbols being read.The second class of bar code symbol reader uses a focused light beam, typically a focused laser beam, to sequentia...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

Referring to the figures in the accompanying Drawings, the various illustrative embodiments of the modular omnidirectional laser scanner of the present invention will be described in great detail.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, a modular omnidirectional laser-based bar code symbol scanning system 1 in accordance with the present invention includes at least one scan module insert 3 that is removably disposed (e.g., removably installed) within a system housing 5 (or portion thereof) through a service port 7 (e.g., opening) in the system housing 5 (or portion thereof). The scan module insert 3 is a self-contained unit including at least the following components (in addition to mechanical support structures for such components):i) at least one laser diode 11 (one shown) that produces laser light;ii) a rotating scanning element 13 (such as a polygonal mirror as shown, or multifaceted holographic disk) that redirects laser light incident thereon to produce one or more scanning laser beams;iii)...

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